Fangs of the Wild

Although Charles Chaplin, Jr. had appeared in his father's production of Limelight, this Lippert production has him billed as being 'introduced'. At this time his father was in self imposed exile over in Switzerland and I doubt a major studio would have introduced young Mr. Chaplin in those days of the blacklist.

Young Charles is the villain here and Freddy Ridgeway and his dog sees him commit a cold blooded murder on his best friend and later pass it off as a hunting accident. The problem is that Freddy's a lonely kid living with his widowed dad Onslow Stevens and he has a habit of exaggeration, learned from handyman Phil Tead.

When he tells his tale, Stevens won't believe him. But the wife of Chaplin, Margia Dean believes him because she knows why he would do such a thing. Therein lies the film.

Fangs Of The Wild was plainly shot on a shoestring, but the story is interesting one and the cast gives sincere performances. Young Ridgeway is especially good, coming off like a real kid who becomes a terrified victim of stalking in the climax. Not a bad one from Lippert.